American Music Tourism Act of 2025

119th Congress Introduced by Gabe Amo and 10 co-sponsors

The American Music Tourism Act promotes U.S. music tourism, boosting local economies and jobs by increasing travel to music festivals and venues post-pandemic.

Received in the Senate. Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 59.

Purpose and Intent

The American Music Tourism Act of 2025 (HR 617) aims to enhance tourism related to music in the United States by directing the National Travel and Tourism Office (NTTO) to promote travel to music festivals, concert venues, and other music-related attractions. The bill seeks to capitalize on the cultural significance and economic potential of music tourism, which has been adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Key Provisions

Promotion of Music Tourism: The NTTO is tasked with promoting both domestic and international tourism to U.S. music-related attractions, expanding its current mandate which includes sports and recreation.

Reporting Requirements: The NTTO must report its activities and findings to Congress within one year of the bill's enactment and subsequently every two years.

Economic Focus: The bill recognizes the substantial economic contributions of music tourism, which supports millions of jobs and generates significant revenue for local economies.

Background and Need for Legislation

The U.S. music industry is a vital part of the national economy, contributing approximately $212 billion to the GDP and supporting over 2.5 million jobs. Major music events, such as the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival, have demonstrated the potential for significant economic impact, generating hundreds of millions in local economic activity.

The COVID-19 pandemic severely impacted the live music and tourism sectors, leading to substantial financial losses. This legislation aims to address those long-term effects by revitalizing the music tourism industry and maximizing its visibility on a global scale.

Who Would Be Affected?

Music Venues and Festivals: The bill is expected to benefit concert venues, music festivals, and related businesses by increasing tourist attendance and spending.

Local Economies: Communities that host music events will likely see economic revitalization and job creation as tourism increases.

Travel and Tourism Industry: The broader travel industry will benefit from increased travel to music-related attractions.

Legislative Timeline

Introduced: January 22, 2025

House Actions:

Passed by voice vote on April 28, 2025, after a debate and consideration under suspension of the rules.
Reported by the Committee on Energy and Commerce on April 24, 2025.

Senate Actions:

Received in the Senate on April 29, 2025, read twice, and placed on the Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders (Calendar No. 59).

Conclusion

The American Music Tourism Act of 2025 represents a strategic effort to revitalize the music tourism sector in the U.S. by leveraging the cultural significance of music to boost economic growth and recovery post-pandemic. The bill's focus on promoting music-related attractions aims to enhance both domestic and international tourism, ultimately benefiting local economies and the broader travel industry.

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